Complaint Review: DMI Metals Int. - Columbus Ohio

"Motors
Motors which have been flooded by water may be subjected to damage by debris or pollutants.

This may result in damage to insulation, switches, contacts of switches, capacitors and overload protectors, corrosion of metallic parts, and contamination of the lubricating means and should be evaluated by qualified personnel.

The manufacturer should be contacted for specific instructions on possible disassembly, cleaning, and drying of the motor housing and internal components by trained personnel. Also, a method for drying is described in ANSI/IEEE 43-2000, A2 and A3."

This is from the NEMA website on water damaged electrical equipment.

As a further note, I do NOT and DID NOT support the re-selling of these motors in violation of an apparent contract to scrap them and especially a notification to the buyers of their condition or origin. That is unethical at the least.

My only point was and is, that they pose no significant hazards to personnel, especially if evaluated and repaired.  It has nothing to do with electrical distribution panel or breaker fires.  This equipment along with the motor contactor assembly are rated to handle momentary overloads before the breakers/fuses open. If the equipment is protected by and customary and usual means, the result will be the interruption of power to the motor...along with some possible annoying smoke from the motor.  It's almost an impossibilty for the motor frame to become energized, due to its being grounded.  Should it have a failure that COULD energize it, the breaker/fuse will instantly disconnect power.

Take my word, I have repaired and returned to service a significant quantity of water damaged equipment with very good result.

I'll continue to trade info with you or we can both agree to disagree.

Well Ken, of course the people that are trying to put these motors back in the market would say that. Its a little unusual that you are sticking up for somebody that broke their contract lied to people, and are not even telling them that the motors were in the flood. They are greedy and putting money before peoples lives. I understand you admit they breached the contract but still these motors are not worth it. However, according to experts in the electrical motors field, there are indeed potential dangers to reselling electrical motors back in the market. The submerged motors can be hazardous to the public by causing strain on the equipment on that are running causing them to fail and not run efficiently and hurt somebody. Some of the applications to
these motors are used by corporations that include but is not limited to Gas Refinery Plants, Paper Mills and Power Plants. Since you know about electrical motors, then you must understand that it does not take much to cause fire or internal damage. The water can cause the motors to trip the breakers as you pointed out.

When is tripping breakers a good sign? Its a risk isnt it? breaker boxes do catch fire due to tripping and defaulted motors as you stated above. Short then some smoke, and tripped breakers Anything that runs hotter than normal will
trip breakers and cause a panel fire even after they are reconditioned as you stated.

The 5th highest risk of electrical breaker boxes is fire caused by a shortage. It doesnt have to be an atomic bomb to cause injury and death. The We are several experts in the electrical motors field. However, we both do agree that if DMI is breaching their contract to scrap these motors rather than re-sell them and put them back on the market, then DMI is in the wrong. DMI has no right to ignore their contractual agreement to scrap these dangerous motors.  DMI is only interested in making their lousy profits rather than do the right thing by avoiding the risk of injury and damages. I dont think anyone is concerned about how much money these motors are worth. Why take a chance on these damaged motors when they could be a potential hazard to the public even after they are reconditioned. There is still a risk that is not worth taking as several experts in electrical motors industry stated. Im not sure if you work for a motor dealership in Ohio and are trying to put these motors back on the market for your greedy needs but for right now keep your what if possibilities to yourself and let these people scrap these motors at DMI Metals and do the right thing instead of letting them resell them. Here is the link to the guidelines for handling water-damaged electrical equipment: http://www2.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/EDEN/guidelines_handling_water_damaged_elect_equip.pdf

The most likely scenario for these flooded motors is the water impurities eventually breaking down insulation and causing a short..then some smoke, and tripped breakers. There would even be a period where they run hotter than normal before the insulation broke down further and caused the tripped breakers mentioned above.

Another possibilty is bearings not lasting as long as they should due to grit in them.

They would basically be less than reliable and NOT take on the characteristics of an atomic bomb and harm all around them.

YOU come back with some unproven theory that someone's going to get hurt or killed without ANY facts to back up your fear mongering tactics.

If I had one of these motors at a bargain price, I would disassemble it, replace the bearings, flush the windings with distilled water, use heat to dry them, and re-assemble and test.
Still, the motors might not be as reliable as ones never submerged, but in no way dangerous.

I don't know either your, or the OP's agenda, but your "deadly motors" warning is totally unreasonable. 
What is wrong here, is if this company is selling these motors as good, undamaged and/or ignoring an agreement to scrap them.

I have provided actual scenarios based on experience, you have just tried to play on people's fears.

I dont know who are these people that are calling these claims UNLIKELY. Is someone claiming to be the all-knowing God here? There is a lot of what ifs in your reply. You have a lot of UNLIKELY in your reply. It is unlikely that someone could die but he or she still can. It is NOT unlikely that a family could be dealing with sudden loss of their breadwinner due to one of these motors. Are you for sure about any statements or claims that youve made? - UNLIKELY does not mean FOR SURE These motors are risky and they will be a risk to anyone who uses them. It is a risk. Why bother risking lives over something that is LIKELY possible.  These motors were sold to DMI Metals for scrap purposes only. They need to be scrapped. Of all the motors that will be sold or reconditioned or what have you It is LIKELY that someone may be hurt and it is LIKELY because facts suggest it as a risk and a risk is always unlikely BUT it is still a possibility and can happen ergo proving all the claims to be true that these motors are risky! We are NOT talking about one or two motors but 900 motors. Even if 899 motors are NOT bad but that ONE motor can affect a life IT IS NOT WORTH THE RISK, THE MONEY. DO NOT USE THESE MOTORS. IT IS STILL A RISK. UNLIKELY V/S LIFE. I CHOOSE LIFE!!!!

I dont know who are these people that are calling these claims UNLIKELY. Is someone claiming to be the all-knowing God here? There is a lot of what ifs in your reply. You have a lot of UNLIKELY in your reply. It is unlikely that someone could die but he or she still can. It is NOT unlikely that a family could be dealing with sudden loss of their breadwinner due to one of these motors. Are you for sure about any statements or claims that youve made? - UNLIKELY does not mean FOR SURE These motors are risky and they will be a risk to anyone who uses them. It is a risk. Why bother risking lives over something that is LIKELY possible.  These motors were sold to DMI Metals for scrap purposes only. They need to be scrapped. Of all the motors that will be sold or reconditioned or what have you It is LIKELY that someone may be hurt and it is LIKELY because facts suggest it as a risk and a risk is always unlikely BUT it is still a possibility and can happen ergo proving all the claims to be true that these motors are risky! We are NOT talking about one

or two motors but 900 motors. Even if 899 motors are NOT bad but that ONE motor

can affect a life IT IS NOT WORTH THE RISK, THE MONEY. DO NOT USE THESE

MOTORS. IT IS STILL A RISK. NOBODY IS GOD HERE AND WE SHOULD TRY TO SAVE ONE AND SAVE ALLL.

is less than honest of DMI Metals, how, is the use of them harmful to the individuals using them?

Will they short out and energize the housings? Not very likely, the frames are grounded.

Will they blow up and throw parts 100's of feet away. Also very unlikely, they would just quit running.

Will they erupt in flames and burn their surroundings down? Not if properly protected by correct size breakers/fuses.

The most likely result, IF they fail, would be to trip the fuses or breakers protecting them.

"We are here to WARN all dealers, individuals, and companies to protect themselves from purchasing DEFECTIVE scrap motors that were submerged under water in a flood and can cause bodily HARM to individuals if reused."

"We dont want any other parties involved in this ILLEGAL SCAM."  

"So, we are warning ALL consumers of the dangers of buying these motors from DMI Metals."

Who are/is "WE?"